International music contest Eurovision took issue with politically charged lines in Israel’s submission for the apolitical competition, “October Rain.”
Israel has agreed to change the lyrics to the country’s most likely Eurovision 2024 song candidate. The Israeli broadcaster Kan had previously insisted it had “no intention to replace the song,” but on Sunday Kan said that it had asked the writers of the song “October Rain” to adjust the words while maintaining the integrity of the song.
Two lines in particular are at issue: “There’s no air left to breathe” and “They were all good children, each one of them.” Both are apparent references to people who spent hours in shelters on Oct. 7, 2023, as Hamas attacked Israelis at kibbutzim and an outdoor music festival.
Kan only agreed to the change after the country’s president Isaac Herzog made the request.
“The president emphasized that at this time in particular, when those who hate us seek to push aside and boycott the state of Israel from every stage, Israel must sound its voice with pride and its head high and raise its flag in every world forum, especially this year,” Kan said in a statement.
